KOMU cites revenue dip in staff cutbacks

Columbia NBC affiliate KOMU-TV laid off four employees yesterday and cut hours for two others.

Marty Siddall, KOMU general manager, said the station’s revenue has been hit hard by the decline in automotive advertising.

Siddall said three of the layoffs are permanent; the fourth position could be brought back later this year.

Two other employees, including morning news anchor Lauren Whitney, had their hours reduced from full time to part time, Siddall said. Whitney will remain on air in the mornings, he said.

Siddall declined to name the five other employees affected but said they included a receptionist and four members of the production department.

Siddall said KOMU, which is an auxiliary business of the University of Missouri, remains strong.

He said the recent unveliing of a new high-definition studio set has no connection with the layoffs.

“The new set is a capital investment that complements our years-long transition to digital and high-definition broadcasts,” he wrote in an e-mail. “The actions for the design and construction of this set were in place well before this economic downturn.”